Words in Action training is based on the belief that the learning is in the doing. So rather than give you lectures, we provide you with case studies, role plays, video feedback and sometimes even trained actors to make the learning experience as real as possible. As one of our trainers once put it, ‘What I see, I forget; what I hear, I remember; what I do, I understand. Words in Action training is developed in a three-step process. First, we visit your organization to enrich our understanding of your needs. To get a feel of what’s going on, we like to interview and also to observe. Second, we prepare and deliver a training session that is uniquely tailored to your specific needs. For best results, we prepare the training together with a team of people from your organization. Third, we come back after a couple of months just to see how much you’ve improved. We talk to those who prepared the training and to those who took part in it to answer any questions they may have. This three-step process enables us to maximize our chances of achieving lasting results. Click on the links below to see examples of training we have done.

Solve complex business problems and identify lucrative opportunities   A Dutch merchant bank was keen for the professionals in its corporate finance department to learn a more systematic way of solving problems and identifying opportunities. In response, Words in Action developed Structured Problem Solving and Opportunity Finding, a two-day session in which participants learn to develop and communicate effective solutions to unstructured business problems and opportunities. The course was designed to help corporate finance professionals to: Develop clear and relevant objectives. List the relevant issues for investigation and outputs for an engagement. Plan and organise efficient data collection. Draw logical conclusions and develop practical recommendations for action. Manage the communication process throughout the assignment. Structured Problem Solving and Opportunity Finding has now become a standard training session for corporate finance professionals at this merchant bank. It continues to be repeated on a regular basis.

Write so that your ideas jump off the page and into the mind of the reader   The Dutch consulting arm of a US-based global software giant was keen to improve the writing skills of its consultants. In response, Words in Action developed Logical Report Writing, a two-day training session to help consultants plan, structure and phrase the content of their client reports and presentations so as to win maximum support for their ideas.The training consists of three parts: Formulating an effective communication strategy Structuring ideas in the form of a pyramid Blending ideas into an engaging story. In advance of this training, consultants hand in a report or presentation that they themselves have written. This is analysed by the trainer and used as base material for the exercises. Logical Report Writing has been repeated eight times for this client in the past two years.

Learn to present with confidence, clarity and conviction   The Benelux unit of a billion-dollar global consulting firm wanted an experienced trainer to teach its consultants to present with greater confidence in front of a group. A two-day training session was delivered to teach consultants to present their ideas – and more especially themselves – in a clear, powerful and convincing way. What participants learn most about in this training is themselves. From start to finish, each exercise is recorded on video and immediately reviewed in a one-to-one session with a communications coach. Words in Action can develop a similar training for your organization on request.

Negotiate wise agreements without giving in.   The Benelux unit of a billion-dollar global consulting firm wanted its consultants and support staff to learn to negotiate on principles rather than bargain over positions. It was hoped that this would improve their ability to arrive at mutually acceptable agreements without giving in. Words in Action developed a one-day session in negotiating techniques in which included lessons on: Separating the people from the problem Focusing on interests, not positions Developing options that are acceptable to both sides Negotiating successfully with people who seem more powerful, refuse to play by the rules, or resort to dirty tricks The training allowed participants to practice what they learned in a series of role plays.

Deal effectively with 'difficult' people   A professional trainers’ organization wanted to re-ignite its members’ enthusiasm and alert them to new ways of dealing with ‘difficult’ people in group situations. In response, Words in Action developed a session that was based on the premise that ‘difficult’ people don’t exist. Unresourceful trainers, however, do. In a day-long session, participants learned how to: Respond to circumstance rather than be driven by it Identify and update unhelpful beliefs they held about themselves Generate new choices in how to respond to group situations With their new behavioural resources, group facilitators were able to transform negative group energy into a positive force, allowing them to create the best possible learning outcome for all members of the group.